|
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 3, 2019 22:59:49 GMT
KISS playing...underwater. Yep, that's what I said.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 4, 2019 23:56:18 GMT
KISS, Alive II, 1977
KISS’s eighth (!) album and second live album in four years, Alive II is either the crowning achievement of the first signs of their slide. Either way, it’s definitely a moment worth stepping back and taking stock of a band near their peak.
The album peaked at #7 in the US (bested only by its Canadian showing at #5), a double album with three quarters of its content dedicated to the three most recent studio albums and one quarter of new studio material. In other words, this was a two-disc set of arguably the band’s strongest material.
Interestingly, the album was originally planned before Love Gun as its own Live at Budokan. But the recordings weren’t considered good enough, so the group instead continued with the sessions for that classic studio album, and later incorporated some of those songs into this eventual live album.
Admittedly, the live material is, um, “live.” But it’s not as if it’s an entire fabrication: the basic tracks were either live from shows or sound checks (with audience noise added later). And the live kick (and faster tempo) gives a special energy to those studio creations whose theatrical imagery might have drained some vitality from what otherwise could have existed. (Listen to “King of the Night Time World” or “God of Thunder” and deny it.)
The studio side delivers KISS at its absolute pinnacle, if no inarguable classics. One Paul song, two Gene songs, one Ace song, and a classic rock cover: that’s KISS. True, it also featured more Bob Kulick on guitar than it did Ace Frehley, foreshadowing the half-decade to come before Frehley left the band once and for all. But these songs spanned the pop and rock styles that made classic KISS classic. “Rockin in the USA” is Gene at his best, a catchy tune that uses every cliche in the best possible sense, his answer to “Back in the USSR.” Frehley’s “Rocket Ride” may not be a KISS classic, but it’s certainly a Frehley staple. And Stanley’s cover of “Any Way You Want It” is another of those underrated covers that give away tremendous insight into KISS’s roots and inspiration.
Drawbacks? Well, how do you feel about Paul Stanley’s stage banter? Or about authenticity? Peter Criss is under-represented with one lead vocal and one co-written song among the live material and no prominence among the studio credits. Otherwise, if you’re a fan of 1970s KISS, you’re going to be a fan of Alive II. You just are. You couldn’t be otherwise.
And as a personal note, I used to put this in my little dual-cassette deck Magnavox and blare it while playing driveway or playground basketball when I was in junior high. Twelve and thirteen year old Luther had this as a veritable soundtrack on the hardwood (er, gravel and/or asphalt). There is nothing about this music when I listen back now that screams “basketball,” but at the time, hey. That’s what it was for me. (Wait til we hit the 1978 solo albums for my next personal anecdote…)
|
|
|
Post by kds on Oct 5, 2019 0:57:23 GMT
Before diving into Alive II, I want to address Paul's banter. KISS is pure escapist rock and roll entertainment, so I think his banter fits the show perfectly. I don't know if it's tongue and cheek, or unintentionally hilarious, but I've always liked it.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 5, 2019 1:02:24 GMT
I actually agree with you! I think it's IDIOTIC ... but I think it's really meant that way. I truly believe Paul Stanley is being an intentional moronic rock star ... a Star Child. And I think it works in the same way a big mean dragon-makeup wearing demon spits fire and wears dragontooth boots.
|
|
|
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 5, 2019 13:37:14 GMT
Paul's stage banter is over the top, but that's what KISS's stage show is - over the top. And he wouldn't be Paul Stanley without it.
Alive II is so great. More of the same which was perfectly fine with me. It served a need for me as it included several key tracks from albums I failed to purchase. Many of the klassics - "Detroit Rock City", "Makin' Love", "Love Gun", "God Of Thunder", "I Want You", and "Shout It Out Loud". And I love Ace's "Shock Me" and Peter's moment in the spotlight with "Beth".
At the time, and actually I still find it a little odd to have a three-sided album of live performances and a fourth side of studio tracks. I used to think "don't they have enough good live songs to fill this album?" But, I have to admit that Side 4 is tremendous. I used to play "Rocket Ride" over and over and "Any Way You Want It" is spectacular. I still wish KISS would've done a covers album. Maybe some day...
I'm embarrassed to admit that Alive II was the last KISS album I purchased, and for the most part, I stopped following the band closely. It was mostly a financial decision at the beginning. The members went off on that solo trip and I didn't feel like purchasing all four solo albums. I wasn't enticed enough to purchase just Paul's or Gene's, so I didn't do anything, and by the time Dynasty came out I had moved on to several other groups. The catalogue from KISS to Alive II was always enough for me, my KISS fix if you will. I rate those songs highly in the rock era. Very highly. It's simply some of the best kick ass rock and roll ever. I still enjoy pulling out my homemade KISS komp and relishing the memories, the memories of my youth.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 5, 2019 13:52:50 GMT
I don't begrudge you that decision, SJS. In fact, I think Alive II is the last great KISS album. There are a few cool albums, there are a few great songs, but no more great albums in my book.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Oct 7, 2019 12:32:41 GMT
I don't begrudge you that decision, SJS. In fact, I think Alive II is the last great KISS album. There are a few cool albums, there are a few great songs, but no more great albums in my book. I agree with that assessment. Alive II pretty much marks the end of an era for KISS. I do like Creatures of the Night and Revenge a lot, but they're not nearly as good as the original run.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 7, 2019 12:57:37 GMT
Yep. I’m almost inexplicably a big Unmasked fan. Lick It Up is good. But they were always trying to find what they had in ‘75-‘77.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Oct 7, 2019 13:12:33 GMT
Yep. I’m almost inexplicably a big Unmasked fan. Lick It Up is good. But they were always trying to find what they had in ‘75-‘77. By then, KISS were sort of piggybacking on what was popular in rock music at the time.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 15:47:16 GMT
Question for the "crowd": should this remain KISS proper, or should we jump next to the four solo albums? They were released under the KISS brand, after all, but each involved only the one member of the band. We could do all four individually; do all four together; or skip to Dynasty.
Seems like the Alive II opinions are at an end (and if not, now's the time to chime in), which is why I'm asking.
|
|
|
Post by Sheriff John Stone on Oct 11, 2019 18:23:44 GMT
Because I'm not very familiar with the remaining KISS albums, my participation will be limited, probably to just certain songs. However, I am very much enjoying - and learning a lot - from the discussion. I guess I'm saying that if you want to post about ANY KISS albums, I'll be more than happy to follow along.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Oct 11, 2019 18:28:39 GMT
Question for the "crowd": should this remain KISS proper, or should we jump next to the four solo albums? They were released under the KISS brand, after all, but each involved only the one member of the band. We could do all four individually; do all four together; or skip to Dynasty.
Seems like the Alive II opinions are at an end (and if not, now's the time to chime in), which is why I'm asking.
I'll be honest, my knowledge of KISS's catalog after Alive II is pretty limited.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 18:38:07 GMT
All righty, then, I guess we can all get ready for some one-sided discussion! But I do think I'll at least do one write-up per album (whenever the mood strikes), and if anyone wants to comment, obviously feel free.
And the ruling from the committee on the next step is ... we're doing solo albums.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Oct 11, 2019 19:02:51 GMT
I'll still chime in, at least on the Creatures, Revenge, and Psycho Circus threads.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 11, 2019 19:19:40 GMT
I look forward to it. And hey, if you feel like skimming a track or two from some of the albums you aren't as familiar with, it might be a nice chance to try something new. (Though a few of those, I strongly recommend against listening to!)
|
|